WIll we ever be able to upgrade summoner spells?

HappyHappy23·May 12, 2015·20 votes·1,030 views

I like to look at other MOBAS to see if there can be some elements/mechanics to implement to LoL. One that pops out is SMITE.

In SMITE, SSs are purchasable and can be upgraded.

in LoL if SS were able to be upgraded (and not purchased) then it would allow more diversity in terms of strategic play

example:

Barrier : upgrade 1 - increased shield per level increment (overall buff to base value) upgrade 2 - increased shield per level increment , but the value is divided amongst team members in range

there can be additional effects of course.

9 Comments

Shield VillainMay 12, 20152 votes

Or, you know, it breaks the game. That's probably why it's not implemented into the game. Look at what happened with Aram and Mark and Dash. They do something to help the immobile tanks with no gap closers, and everything falls to shit.

People start complaining that it does too much damage, or that it's on too low a cool down. Then people jumped on the band wagon and started abusing it on champions like Yi and Katarina.

The simple truth is, you can't implement these things without balancing your game around them. Riot has their hands full just trying to balance the game as it is. This would only make it worse.

HappyHappy23Jun 14, 20151 votes

{quoted}

Or, you know, it breaks the game. That's probably why it's not implemented into the game. Look at what happened with Aram and Mark and Dash. They do something to help the immobile tanks with no gap closers, and everything falls to shit.

People start complaining that it does too much damage, or that it's on too low a cool down. Then people jumped on the band wagon and started abusing it on champions like Yi and Katarina.

The simple truth is, you can't implement these things without balancing your game around them. Riot has their hands full just trying to balance the game as it is. This would only make it worse.

I actually like this a lot. There wouldn't be much of a skew of power for certain champs. The SS values are arbitrary - they don't coincide with the kit of a champion so weakening the initial SS in some cases (exhaust and ignite) or strengthening the initial level of the SS (clairvoyance) seems pretty legit.

That being said, as the player upgrades the SS there would be multidimensional play.

Which brings the whole " assassin role dashing to the backline"

ARAM is still pretty new so I am sure riot would add a more defensive SS.
a healthy example of SS being balanced would be : heal vs ignite vs exhaust in bot lane. One counters the other. They are pretty balances on arbitrary level. However a vayne using exhaust or a Leona using ignite seems overwhelming. However, cleanse and barrier are SSes that would solve this.

Sorry for grammar, on a phone. Will edit

ZyorhistMay 12, 20151 votes

This could be really fun if it was done like the smite upgrade is...note that I'm talking about the spell not the game. An item upgrade to upgrade your specific SS'

YOU BEEN WARNEDMay 12, 20151 votes

But what? Boots upgrade? I don't want a specific item slot for this.

Unless we're getting a specific slot for this item, it's better off being a permanent consumable.

ZyorhistMay 12, 20151 votes

A boots upgrade would be a good way to look at it, they already have the distortion upgrade, it could be amplified and add in things for other abilities.

Duke AnaxMay 12, 20151 votes

Yeah this otherwise it is just anoother barrier players need to cross before they can play well

WillHealForHonorMay 12, 20151 votes

Distortion boots? Is it like that u mean? I love the idea.. So u could also upgrade ignite and stuff.. In dota u can buy an item that gives u flash.. i like that as well.. so u could buy a silence and so on..

yukonlMay 13, 20151 votes

Only if they are free,

because other players already have enough advantages against players who don't have enough in game currency to afford multiple rune pages with full runes.

HupsisMay 13, 20151 votes

Some summoner spells could be removed as summoner spells and added as item activations. All the mobility summoner spells could be added as boot enhancements.

Normal boots --> enhanced normal boots (choose an activation: flash, ghost, teleport and maybe cleanse) --> upgraded boots --> enhance upgraded boots.

Some support summoner spells should also be upgradable. Clarvoyance could get extra effects based on your trinket for example. Ardent cencer could improve barrier by allowing it to be cast on allies.

I doubt Riot would add a system where they allow summoner spell improvements outside the game (the same way you choose masteries and runes).